Enzymatic process for obtaining 17 alpha-monoesters of cortexolone and/or its 9,11-dehydroderivatives

ABSTRACT

The present invention refers to a new enzymatic process for obtaining 17α-monoesters of cortexolone and/or its 9,11-dehydroderivatives starting from the corresponding 17α,21-diesters which comprises an enzymatic alcoholysis reaction. Furthermore, the present invention refers to new crystalline forms of cortexolone-17α-propionate and 9,11-dehydro-cortexolone 17α-butanoate.

Cortexolone derivatives in which the hydroxyl group at position C-17α isesterified with short chain aliphatic or aromatic acids, and thederivatives of the corresponding 9,11-dehydro derivative, are known tohave an antiandrogenic effect.

EP1421099 describes cortexolone 17α-propionate and9,11-dehydro-cortexolone-17-α-butanoate regarding a high antiandrogenicbiological activity demonstrated both “in vitro” and “in vivo” on theanimal.

A method for obtaining the above mentioned derivatives is described byGardi et al. (Gazz. Chim. It. 63, 43 1,1963) and in the U.S. Pat. No.3,152,154 providing for the transformation of cortexolone, ortransformation of 9,11-dehydrocortexolone, in the intermediateorthoester using orthoesters available in the market as a mixture ofaprotic solvents such as cyclohexane and DMF, in presence of acidcatalysis (ex. PTSA.H₂O). The intermediate orthoester thus obtained canbe used as is or upon purification by suspension in a solvent capable ofsolubilizing impurities, preferably in alcohols. The subsequenthydrolysis in a hydroalcoholic solution, buffered to pH 4-5 preferablyin acetate buffer, provides the desired monoester.

Such synthesis is indicated in the diagram 1 below.

However, the monoesters thus obtained were, in the reaction conditions,unstable and, consequently hard to manipulate and isolate (R. Gardi etat Tetrahedron Letters, 448, 1961). The instability is above all due tothe secondary reaction of migration of the esterifying acyl group fromposition 17 to position 21.

It is thus known that in order to obtain the above mentioned monoesterswith a chemical purity in such a manner to be able to proceed to thebiological tests, it is necessary to use, at the end of the synthesis, apurification process which is generally performed by means of columnchromatography.

Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 3,152,154 describes how the hydrolysis of thediester in a basic environment is not convenient due to the formation ofa mixture of 17α,21-diol, of 17- and 21-monoesters, alongside theinitial non-reacted product.

Now, it has been surprisingly discovered that an alcoholysis reactionusing a lipase from Candida as a biocatalyst can be usefully appliedduring the preparation of 17α monoesters of cortexolone, or its9,11-dehydroderivatives.

As a matter of fact, it has been discovered that such enzymaticalcoholysis of the 17,21-diester of the cortexolone, or of itsderivative 9,11-dehydro, selectively occurs in position 21 moving to thecorresponding monoester in position 17, as shown in diagram 2 below:

The chemoselectivity of the special enzymatic reaction in alcoholysisconditions, according to the present invention, opens new perspectivesfor preparation, at industrial level with higher yields, of17α-monoesters with respect to the methods already indicated inliterature.

The diesters serving as a substrate for the reaction of the inventioncan be prepared according to the prior art, for example following theone described in B. Turner, (Journal of American Chemical Society, 75,3489, 1953) which provides for the esterification of corticosteroidswith a linear carboxylic acid in presence of its anhydride and PTSAmonohydrate.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is a process for thepreparation of 17α monoesters of cortexolone, and its9,11-dehydroderivatives, of formula I.

-   -   wherein R is a linear or branched aliphatic or aromatic chain        containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, characterized in that a        compound of formula II

-   -   wherein R bears the same meaning indicated above,    -   is reacted with a compound having the formula R′OH, wherein R′        is a linear chain containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably a        C₁-C₈ alkyl, in presence of a lipase from Candida. According to        the present invention R is preferably a C₁-C₄ alkyl, even more        preferably it is selected from among CH₃, CH₃CH₂, CH₃(CH₂)₂ or        CH₃(CH₂)₃.

The dashed symbol in position 9,11 inside the abovementioned formulas Iand II means that the double bond can be present(9,11-dehydroderivative) or not present in such position, as shown inthe formulas indicated hereinafter

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a DRX spectrum of crystalline form I ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 2 shows a DSC spectrum of crystalline form I ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 3 shows an IR spectrum of crystalline form I ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 4 shows a DRX spectrum of crystalline form II ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 5 shows a DSC spectrum of crystalline form II ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 6 shows an IR spectrum of crystalline form II ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 7 shows a DRX spectrum of crystalline form III ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 8 shows a DSC spectrum of crystalline form III ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 9 shows an IR spectrum of crystalline form III ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 10 shows a DRX spectrum of crystalline form III ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 11 shows a DSC spectrum of crystalline form III ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 12 shows an IR spectrum of crystalline form III ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 13 shows a DRX spectrum of crystalline form III ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 14 shows a DSC spectrum of crystalline form III ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 15 shows an IR spectrum of crystalline form III ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 16 shows a DRX spectrum of crystalline form I ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 17 shows a DSC spectrum of crystalline form I ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 18 shows an IR spectrum of crystalline form I ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 19 shows a DRX spectrum of crystalline form I ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 20 shows a DSC spectrum of crystalline form I ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 21 shows an IR spectrum of crystalline form I ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 22 shows a DRX spectrum of crystalline form I ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 23 shows a DSC spectrum of crystalline form I ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 24 shows an IR spectrum of crystalline form I ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 25 shows a DRX spectrum of crystalline form I ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 26 shows a DSC spectrum of crystalline form I ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 27 shows an IR spectrum of crystalline form I ofcortexolone-17α-propionate.

FIG. 28 shows a DRX spectrum of cortexolone-17α-propionate crystallizedduring the preparation of a cream formulation.

The lipase from Candida used to catalyze the process of the presentinvention is preferably selected between the lipase from Candidacylindracea (CCL) and lipase from Candida antarctica of type B (CALB).

Lipase from Candida, and in particular the ones from Candida cylindraceaand Candida antarctica are proved to be capable of selectivelyhydrolyzing the ester function in position 21, contrary to the porcinepancreatic lipase (PPL) and to one from Pseudomonas fluorescens (PFL),which are proved to be almost inactive.

The amount of said enzyme, calculated with respect to the initialsubstrate, may vary depending on the type of enzyme used. In particular,said enzyme is preferably used in an amount in the range of 100 to1,000,000 U/mmol; more preferably in the range of 1,000 to 1,000,000U/mmol in case of CCL and in the range of 100 to 100,000 U/mmol in caseof CALB. Even more preferably, said enzyme is present at an amount ofabout 60,000 U/mmol in case of CCL and about 5,000 U/mmol in case CALB.

Furthermore, from an economical/industrial point of view, thepossibility to reutilize such enzymes in several cycles without losingthe catalytic activity was proved.

The concentration of the initial diesters of formula II is preferably inthe range of about 0.01 to 0.15 molar, more preferably about 0.025molar.

The process of the invention preferably occurs in the presence of anorganic solvent, more preferably an aprotic organic solvent.

Said solvent is then preferably selected from among toluene,acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane and/or chloroform.

The R′OH alcohol according to the invention is preferably selected fromamong methanol, ethanol, butanol and/or octanol.

Said alcohol is preferably present at a quantity in the range of about0.5 to about 50 moles per mole of initial substrate, more preferably 5moles per mole of substrate.

The process according to the present invention preferably occurs underconstant stirring until the initial diester of formula II is dissolved.Subsequently the enzyme used is removed for filtration, preferablyfiltration on Celite and the monoester of formula I is obtained throughevaporation of the solvent under low pressure.

When the compound of formula II is a 17α,21-diester of cortexolone, thereaction time of the process is usually in the range of 20 to 150 hours,preferably in the range of 24 to 72 hours and the reaction temperatureis preferably in the range of about 10 to 48° C., more preferably in therange of 20 to 32° C.

Table I below summarizes the reaction conditions and the results of theenzymatic alcoholysis according to the present invention.

TABLE I Enzymatic alcoholysis reaction of 17α,21-diesters of cortexoloneto produce the corresponding 17α-monoester. Compound Reaction Yield ofthe of formula II time monoester of (diester) Enzyme Alcohol Solvent(hours) formula I* Diacetate CCL Octanol Toluene 51 97% CALB EthanolToluene 96 67% CALB Octanol Acetonitrile 51 88% Dipropionate CCL EthanolToluene 120 73% CCL Butanol Toluene 24 100% CCL Octanol Toluene 28 100%CCL Butanol Acetonitrile 96 91% CCL Butanol Tetrahydrofuran 96 86% CCLButanol Chloroform 96 10% PPL Octanol Toluene 120 13% PFL MethanolChloroform 24 0% CALB Octanol acetonitrile 76 91% Dibutanoate CCLToluene Butanol 74 98% CCL Toluene Octanol 24 98% Divalerate CCL TolueneButanol 74 81% CCL Toluene Octanol 48% 97% *the conversion percentageswere evaluated from the ¹H-NMR spectra from the integrations of signalsdue to the hydrogens in position 21 of the corresponding diesters andmonoesters.

The enzymatic method according to the present invention also proveduseful not only for converting 17α-21-diesters of cortexolone or of9,11-dehydro-cortexolone: in particular the 17α-butanoate of9,11-dehydrocortexolone was obtained starting from the correspondingdibutanoate preferably using the CCL enzyme and methanol as an acceptoralcohol of the acyl group.

The concentration of the initial 9,11-dehydro derivatives is preferablyin the range of 0.01 to 0.15 molar, more preferably 0.025 molar.

In this case, the reaction time is preferably in the range of 45 to 55hours, preferably 53 hours.

Also in this case the reaction temperature is preferably in the range of10 to 48° C., more preferably in the range of 20 to 32° C.

Table 2 below shows the reaction conditions of the enzymatic alcoholysisof 17α,21-dibutanoate of 9,11-dehydrocortexolone and the related finalyield of the respective monoester.

TABLE 2 Enzymatic alcoholysis reaction of I7α,21-diesters of9,11-dehydro- cortexolone to produce the corresponding 17α-monoester.Compound Reaction Yield in of formula II time compound of (diester)Enzyme Alcohol Solvent (hours) formula I* Dibutanoate CCL MethanolToluene 53 79% Dibutanoate CCL Ethanol Toluene 53 28% Dibutanoate CCLButanol Toluene 53 100% Dibutanoate CCL Octanol Toluene 53 100% *theconversion percentages were evaluated from the ¹H-NMR spectra from theintegrations of signals due to the hydrogens in position 21 of thecorresponding diesters and monoesters.

Furthermore, the process according to the present invention mayoptionally comprise a final step of crystallization from an organicsolvent, water, buffered aqueous solutions and/or or their mixture.

The organic solvent of said step of crystallization is preferablyselected from among diisopropylether, tert-butylmethylether,dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, hexane, acetone, ethanol, water or theirmixture at any proportion.

Thus, further object of the present invention are crystalline forms of17α-monoesters of cortexolone, and their corresponding 9,11-dehydroderivatives.

In particular, an object of the present invention are the crystallineforms of cortexolone 17α-propionate and of9,11-cortexolone-17α-butanoate.

The crystalline form I of 17α-propionate is preferably obtained throughcrystallization from tert-butylmethylether. The concentration of17α-propionate in said solvent is in the range of 0.9 to 1.1 g in 9-11ml of tert-butylmethylether preferably 1 g in 10 ml. Said crystallineform I is characterized_by a melting point in the range of about 133 to135° C. and/or a DRX as in FIG. 1 and/or a DSC as shown in FIG. 2 and/oran IR as shown in FIG. 3.

The crystalline form II of I7α-propionate is preferably obtained throughcrystallization from diisopropylether. The concentration in said solventis preferably in the range of 0.9 to 1.1 g in 54-66 ml ofdiisopropylether.

Said crystalline form II is characterized_by a melting point in therange of about 114 to 116° C. and/or a DRX as in FIG. 4 and/or a DSC asshown in FIG. 5 and/or an IR as shown in FIG. 6.

The crystalline form III of 17α-propionate is preferably obtainedthrough crystallization from a mixture of dichloromethane/n-hexanepreferably in a ratio of about 1/30, acetone/n-hexane preferably in aratio of about 1/8, or ethanol/water mixture preferably in a ratio ofabout 1/2.

The melting point of said crystalline forms III could not be determined.

The crystalline form III obtained from dichloromethane/n-hexane has aDRX as shown in FIG. 7 and/or a DSC as shown in FIG. 8 and/or an IR asshown in FIG. 9. The crystalline form III obtained from acetone/n-hexanehas a DRX as shown in FIG. 10 and/or a DSC as shown in FIG. 11 and/or anIR as shown in FIG. 12.

The crystalline form III obtained from ethanol/water has a DRX as shownin FIG. 13 and/or a DSC as shown in FIG. 14 and/or an IR as shown inFIG. 15.

The crystalline form I of 9,11-dehydro-17α-cortexolone is preferablyobtained from tert-butylmethylether, diisopropylether, adichloromethane/n-hexane mixture preferably in a ratio of 1/15, or anacetone/n-hexane mixture preferably in a ratio of 1/5.

The crystalline form I obtained from tert-butylmethylether has a DRX asshown in FIG. 16 and/or a DSC as shown in FIG. 17 and/or an IR as shownin FIG. 18.

The crystalline form I obtained from diisopropylether has a DRX as shownin FIG. 19 and/or a DSC as shown in FIG. 20 and/or an IR as shown inFIG. 21.

The crystalline form I obtained from dichloromethane/n-hexane has a DRXas shown in FIG. 22 and/or a DSC as shown in FIG. 23 and/or an IR asshown in FIG. 24.

The crystalline form I obtained from acetone/n-hexane has a DRX as shownin FIG. 25 and/or a DSC as shown in FIG. 26 and/or an IR as shown inFIG. 27.

The differences observable in the DRX diagrams regarding the form III of17α-propionate and regarding the form I of 9,11-dehydro derivative areto be deemed irrelevant in that they are due to the phenomena of crystaldisorientation. Likewise, the differences observed in IR and DSC are tobe deemed irrelevant in that they are due to variations when preparingthe sample and/or when performing the analysis.

Table 3 shows some identification parameters and conditions forobtaining the abovementioned crystalline forms.

TABLE 3 Compound Concentrations Melting of formula I Solid (gcompound/ml point (monoester) form Solvents solvent) (° C.) DRX DSC IRCortexolone Crystalline Tert- 1 g/10 ml 133-135 FIG. 1 134.90° C. FIG. 317α- form I butylmethylether (ΔH = propionate 40.68 J/g) FIG. 2Crystalline diisopropylether 1 g/60 ml 114-116 FIG. 4 115.85° C. FIG. 6form II (ΔH = 46.61 J/g) FIG. 5 Crystalline dichloromethane/ 1 g/15.51ml n.d. FIG. 7 134.90° C. FIG. 9 form III n-hexane (dichloromethane/ (ΔH= n-hexane 1/30) 42.45 J/g) F′ig. 8 Crystalline Acetone/n- 1 g/9 ml n.d.FIG. 10 134.18° C. FIG. 12 form III hexane (acetone/n- (ΔH = hexane 1/8)43.83 J/g) FIG. 11 Crystalline Ethanol/water 1 g/24 ml n.d FIG. 13134.29° C. FIG. 15 form III (ethanol/water 1/2) (ΔH = 43.34 J/g) FIG. 149,11- Crystalline Tert- 1 g/24 ml n.d. FIG. 16 137.45° C. FIG. 18dehydro form I butylmethylether (ΔH = 17α- 62.63 J/g) cortexolone FIG.17 Crystalline diisopropylether 1 g/96 ml 136 FIG. 19 136.76° C. FIG. 21form I (ΔH = 60.48 J/g) FIG. 20 Crystalline Dichloromethane/ 1 g/16 mln.d. FIG. 22 136.65° C. FIG. 24 form I n-hexane (dichloromethane/ (ΔH =n-hexane 1/15) 66.66 J/g) FIG. 23 Crystalline Acetone/n- 1 g/21 ml n.d.FIG. 25 136.49° C. FIG. 27 form I hexane (acetone/n- (ΔH = hexane 1/5)67.64 J/g) FIG. 26

The existence of a pseudo polymorph crystalline form of 17α-propionate,characterized by the presence of a crystallization water molecule anddefined as solvate form IV was determined.

The solvate crystalline form IV of 17α-propionate is preferably obtainedthrough crystallization from an organic/water solvent mixture in a ratiogenerally in the range of 1/2 to 2/1, preferably from propyleneglycol/water in a ratio of 1/1 or polyethylenglycol/water in a ratio of1/1.

The crystallization of 17α-propionate in solvate form may occur duringthe formulation processes of the final pharmaceutical form, where themanufacturing process of the pharmaceutical form provides for thedissolution of the active ingredient in an organic solvent, such as forexample, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol or short-chainedaliphatic alcohols, followed by the addition of water in a ratio of 1/3to 3/1 with respect to the organic solvents used for the dissolution ofthe active ingredient.

Furthermore, an object of the present invention is a pharmaceuticalcomposition containing at least one of the crystalline forms describedabove in association with at least one physiologically acceptableexcipient.

The compositions of the present invention can be of solid, semi-solid,pasty or liquid form and they are preferably selected from amongtablets, capsules, powders, pellets, suspensions, emulsions, solutions,creams, gel, ointment, lotions or pastes both ready to use or to bereconstituted before use.

Lastly, object of the present invention is the use, preferably for humanbeings, of at least one of the crystalline forms and/or solvatesdescribed above for the preparation of a medication for treatingpathologies affecting the urogenital system, the endocrine system, theskin and/or the cutaneous appendages.

In particular, an object of the present invention is the use of a liquidor semi-liquid formulation for topical administration, such as forexample, cream, gel, ointment, emulsion or dispersion containingcortexolone-17α-propionate in the range of 0.1 to 2% by weight,preferably in the range of 0.2 to 1%, in a crystalline form selectedfrom among solvate forms I, II, Ill or IV, preferably in solvate formIV, both in solution and crystalline dispersion states, the latter beingpossibly obtained also in an extemporaneous manner by precipitation ofthe crystalline active ingredient upon addition of water or aqueoussolution to a solution containing the same active ingredient in anorganic solvent or a mixture of organic solvents, for the preparation ofa medication for treating pathologies affecting the urogenital system,the endocrine system, the skin and/or or skin appendages.

Additionally, an object of the present invention is the use of a liquidor solid formulation for oral or systemic administration, such as forexample, a tablet, capsule, granule or powder containing9,11-dehydro-cortexolone-17α-butanoate in the dosage in the range of 4to 65% by weight, preferably in the range of 5 to 50%, with respect tothe total formulation when said total formulation has a final weight of200 mg or in the range of 1 to 25% by weight, preferably in the range of2 to 20%, when the total formulation has a final weight of 500 mg in acrystalline form selected between solvate forms I, or IV, for treatingpathologies affecting the urogenital system, the endocrine system, theskin and/or or skin appendages.

Said pathologies according to the invention are preferably selected fromamong acne, seborrhoeic dermatitis, androgenetic alopecia, hirsutism,benign prostatic hyperplasia, forms of prostate cancer, malecontraception, polycystic ovary syndrome, control of aggressive oraberrant sexual behaviors_and syndrome of precocious puberty.

The following examples are included to enhance the understanding of thepresent invention without restricting it in any way whatsoever.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Alcoholysis with CCL of Cortexolone17α,21-Dipropionate

Add butanol (0.4 g, 5.45 mmoles) and CCL (17.4 g, 3.86 U/mg, FLUKA) to asolution of cortexolone-17α,21-dipropionate (0.5 g, 1.09 mmoles) intoluene (50 ml). Maintain the mixture under stirring, at 30° C.,following the progress of the reaction in TLC (Toluene/ethyl acetate6/4) until the initial material is dissolved (24 h). Remove the enzymeby means of filtration using a Celite layer. Recover the cortexolone17α-propionate (0.437, 99%) after evaporation under low pressure.Through crystallization from diisopropyl ether you obtain a product witha purity >99% in HPLC.

¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) relevant signals δ (ppm) 5.78 (br s, 1H, H-4),4.32 (dd, 1H, H-21), 4.25 (dd, 1H, H-21), 1.22 (s, 3H, CH₃-19), 1.17 (t,3H, CH₃), 0.72 (s, 3H, CH₃-18). P.f. 114° C.

Example 2

According to the method described in example 1 preparecortexolone-17α-butanoate.

IH-NMR relevant signals δ (ppm) 5.78 (br s, 1H, H-4), 4.32 (dd, 1H,H-21), 4.26 (dd, 1H, H-21), 1.23 (s, 3H, CH₃-19), 0.97 (t, 3H, CH₃),0.73 (s, 3H, CH₃-18). P.F. 134-136° C.

Example 3

According to the method described in the example preparecortexolone-17α-valerate.

¹H-NMR relevant signals δ (ppm) 5.77 (br s, 1H, H-4), 4.32 (dd, 1H,H-21), 4.26 (dd, 1H, H-21), 1.22 (s, 3H, CH₃-19), 0.95 (t, 3H, CH₃),0.72 (s, 3H, CH₃-18). P.f 114° C. (diisopropyl ether).

Example 4

According to the method described in the example prepare9,11-dehydro-cortexolone-17α-butanoate.

¹H-NMR relevant signals δ (ppm) 5.77 (br s, 1H, H-4), 5.54 (m, 1H, H-9),4.29 (dd, 1H, H-21), 4.24 (dd, 1H, H-21), 1.32 (s, 3H, CH₃-19), 0.94 (t,3H, CH₃), 0.68 (s, 3H, CH₃-18). P.f 135-136° C. (acetone/hexane).

Example 5 Alcoholysis with CALB of Cortexolone-17α,21-Dipropionate

Dissolve cortexolone, 17α, 2-dipropionate (0.5 g, 1.09 mmoles) inacetonitrile (40 ml), add CALB (2.3 g, 2.5 U/mg Fluka) and octanol(0.875 ml). Leave the mixture under stirring, at 30° C., for 76 hrs.Remove the enzyme by means of filtration using a paper filter. Once thesolvents evaporate, recover a solid (0.4758) which upon analysis ¹H-NMRshall appear made up of cortexolone-17α-propionate at 91%.

Example 6 Crystallization

Add the solvent (t-butylmethylether or diisopropylether) to the sampleaccording to the ratios indicated in Table 3. Heat the mixture to theboiling temperature of the solvent, under stirring, until the sampledissolves completely. Cool to room temperature and leave it at thistemperature, under stirring, for 6 hours. Filter using a buchner funneland maintain the solid obtained, under low pressure, at a roomtemperature for 15 hours and then, at 40° C., for 5 hours.

Example 7 Precipitation

Dissolve the sample in the suitable solvent (dichloromethane, acetone,ethyl acetate or ethanol) according to the ratios indicated in table 3and then add the solvent, hexane or water, according to the ratiosindicated in table 3, maintaining the mixture, under stiffing, at roomtemperature. Recover the precipitate by filtration using a buchnerfunnel and desiccate as in example 6.

Example 8

Obtaining a pharmaceutical form containing the medication in a definedcrystalline form.

Prepare a fluid cream containing 2% cetylic alcohol, 16% glycerylmonostearate, 10% vaseline oil, 13% propylene glycol, 10%polyethylenglycol with low polymerization 1.5% polysorbate 80 and 47.5%purified water. Add 1 g of cortexolone 17α-propionate of crystallineform III to 100 g of this cream and subject the mixture tohomogenization by means of a turbine agitator until you obtainhomogeneity. You obtain a cream containing a fraction of an activeingredient dissolved in the formulation vehicle and a non-dissolvedfraction of an active ingredient, present as a crystal of crystallineform III. This preparation is suitable for use as a formulation vehiclefor skin penetration tests on Franz cells, where a coefficient ofpenetration in the range of 0.04 to 0.03 cm/h is observed on thepreparation.

Example 9 Obtaining the Pharmaceutical Form Containing the Medication inSolvate Form IV for Replacing the Solvent During the Galenic FormulationProcedure

Dissolve 100 g of cortexolone 17α-propionate of crystalline form III in2500 g of propylene glycol under stirring at room temperature.Separately prepare, by using a turboemulsifier raising the temperatureup to about 70° C., an emulsion with 250 g of Cetylic alcohol, 1500 g ofglyceryl monostearate, 1000 g of liquid paraffin, 5 g of mixedtocopherols, 100 g of polysorbate 80 and 4650 g of water. After coolingthe emulsion up to about 30° C., add—under stirring and under negativepressure—the cortexolone 17α-propionate solution in propylene glycol.Maintain the emulsioned cream under stifling until you obtainhomogeneity, making sure the temperature remains low by means thecirculation of a coolant.

The cream contains a dispersed crystalline fraction, made up of anactive ingredient in solvate crystalline form IV, formed due to theprecipitation of the active ingredient itself from the glycolic solutionwhich contained it when the latter was added to the predominantlyaqueous formulation. The DRX spectra of the crystalline form present inthe cream are indicated in FIG. 28.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of treating a pathology affecting theskin and/or the cutaneous appendages, wherein the pathology affectingthe skin and/or the cutaneous appendages is acne, androgenetic alopecia,hirsutism, or seborrhoeic dermatitis, the method comprisingadministering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount ofcrystalline form IV of cortexolone-17α-propionate, wherein crystallineform IV of cortexolone-17α-propionate is characterized by a DRX as shownin FIG.
 28. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein crystalline form IV ofcortexolone-17α-propionate is applied topically.
 3. The method of claim2, wherein the pathology affecting the skin and/or the cutaneousappendages is acne.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the pathologyaffecting the skin and/or the cutaneous appendages is androgeneticalopecia.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the pathology affecting theskin and/or the cutaneous appendages is hirsutism.
 6. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the pathology affecting the skin and/or the cutaneousappendages is seborrhoeic dermatitis.
 7. A method of treating apathology affecting the skin and/or the cutaneous appendages, whereinthe pathology affecting the skin and/or the cutaneous appendages isacne, androgenetic alopecia, hirsutism, or seborrhoeic dermatitis, themethod comprising administering to a subject in need thereof aneffective amount of a composition comprising water, at least onephysiologically acceptable excipient, and crystalline form IV ofcortexolone-17α-propionate, wherein crystalline form IV ofcortexolone-17α-propionate is characterized by a DRX as shown in FIG.28.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the administering comprisestopically applying the composition.
 9. The method of claim 8, whereinthe pathology affecting the skin and/or the cutaneous appendages isacne.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the pathology affecting theskin and/or the cutaneous appendages is androgenetic alopecia.
 11. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the pathology affecting the skin and/or thecutaneous appendages is hirsutism.
 12. The method of claim 8, whereinthe pathology affecting the skin and/or the cutaneous appendages isseborrhoeic dermatitis.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the at leastone physiologically acceptable excipient is propylene glycol, cetylicalcohol, glyceryl monostearate, liquid paraffin, or a combination of anyof the foregoing.
 14. A method of treating a pathology affecting theskin and/or the cutaneous appendages, wherein the pathology affectingthe skin and/or the cutaneous appendages is acne, androgenetic alopecia,hirsutism, or seborrhoeic dermatitis, the method comprisingadministering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount ofcrystalline form IV of cortexolone-17α-propionate, wherein crystallineform IV of cortexolone-17α-propionate is characterized by XRPD peaks atabout 4.8, 12.9, 14.4, 15.8, 16, 19.3, and 19.5 degrees 2theta.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the administering comprises topicallyapplying crystalline form IV of cortexolone-17α-propionate.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the pathology affecting the skin and/or thecutaneous appendages is acne.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein thepathology affecting the skin and/or the cutaneous appendages isandrogenetic alopecia.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the pathologyaffecting the skin and/or the cutaneous appendages is hirsutism.
 19. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the pathology affecting the skin and/or thecutaneous appendages is seborrhoeic dermatitis.
 20. The method of claim14, wherein crystalline form IV of cortexolone-17α-propionate isformulated in a composition comprising at least one pharmaceuticallyacceptable excipient selected from the group consisting of propyleneglycol, cetylic alcohol, glyceryl monostearate, liquid paraffin, andcombinations of any of the foregoing.
 21. The method of claim 20,wherein the composition is in the form of a tablet, capsule, powder,pellet, suspension, emulsion, cream, gel, ointment, lotion, or paste.22. The method of claim 7, wherein the composition is in the form of atablet, capsule, powder, pellet, suspension, emulsion, cream, gel,ointment, lotion, or paste.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein thecomposition is applied topically.
 24. The method of claim 22, whereinthe composition is applied topically.